Conveyor belt and fabric therefor

ABSTRACT

An elastomer-covered conveyor belt employing a belting fabric having warps of metallic cables which are maintained coplanar, parallel and linear to equalize stress distribution therein and to insure that the belt will track truly. Selectively inwardly crimped, nonmetallic wefts are employed in respective layers above and below the warps in order to maintain the warps in proper positions relative to one another and to impart a desired degree of transverse stiffness to the fabric. The inward crimping of the wefts is achieved by positioning a plurality of nonmetallic binders between the warps in each pair of adjacent warps and selectively interlacing the binders with the upper and lower wefts. The binders between adjacent warps cross one another and form intersection points which abut against the warps and assist in maintaining the warps in proper position relative to one another. The belting fabric is preferably dipped in a resorcinol formaldehyde latex solution after weaving and then heat treated to remove the volatile components of such solution and shrink the nonmetallic weft and binder strands therein. The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

United States Patent George R. Limbach Wayne;

John Rleger, Teaneck; Martin F. Sheridan, Wayne; Richard H. Voss,Rutherford, all of [72] inventors NJ. [2 1] Appl. No. 26,013 [22] FiledApr. 6, 1970 L451 Patented Oct. 12,1971 Assignee Uniroyal, Inc.

New York, NY.

[54] CONVEYOR BELT AND FABRlC THEREFOR Primary Examiner-Even C. BlunkAssistant Examiner-l. Kenneth Silverman Attorney-Jack Posin a beltingfabric having warps of metallic cables which are maintained coplanar,parallel and linear to equalize stress distribution therein and toinsure that the belt will track truly.

Selectively inwardly crimped, nonmetallie wefls are employed inrespective layers above and below the warps in order to maintain thewarps in proper positions relative to one another and to impart adesired degree of transverse stiffness to the fabric. The inwardcrimping of the wefts is achieved by positioning a plurality ofnonmetallic binders between the warps in' each pair of adjacent warpsand selectively interlacing thebinders with the upper and lower wetts.The binders between adjacent warps cross one another and formintersection points which abut against the warps and assist inmaintaining the warps in proper position relatiyeto one another. Thebelting fabric is preferably dipped in a rcsorcinol formaldehyde latexsolution after wcaving andthen heat treated to remove the volatilecomponents of such solution and shrink the nonmetallic weft and binderstrands therein.

The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the inventiondisclosed in this specification, nor is it intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

1245 Z-e. 7 t

43d 19 if: v (2.4

12.1 41d I Z a T "-411 2702 I I2:- 46d CONVEYOR BELT AND FABRIC THEREFORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION portions of the overall lengths of the steelcables are aligned and clamped under high and individually controlledtension. Then, an elastomer material in sheet form is applied to bothsides of the cables and pressed into and around the cables in ahydraulic consolidating press, thus forming elastomer covers above andbelow the steel cable warps. This process is reposted in successivesteps until the entire length of cables is encased in the rubber covers.In such belts there is a tendency for thecables to become misaligned andout of parallelism and linearity as a result of the flow of theelastomeric material between and around the cables. Also, the high andin- ,dividually controlled cable tensions utilized in the manufacture ofsuch belts requires that expensive auxiliary equipment be employed inmaking the belts. Further, in operation such conveyor belts rely on theelastomeric coating and internal tensions of the cables to securetransverse stiffness of the belt and this often results in longitudinalcracking of the elastomeric material along lines of flexing which areintermediate adjacent warp cables in the belt.

In the case of elastomer-covered conveyor belts which employ wovenfabrics with steel cable warps, problems have also been encountered duethe fact that the metal warps, which are woven under considerably lesstension than in the nonwoven conveyor belts, have not been woven in sucha way as to minimize the tendency of the warps to shift out ofcoplanarity, parallelism and linearity in the fabric. The weave patternsheretofore utilised have not insured that the various wefts and bindersemployed in the woven fabric lock each warp in position relative to theremaining warps in the fabric. Moreover, prior art forms ofelastomer-covered conveyor belts which employ woven fabrics having steelcable warps have not included provisions therein to overcome transverseflexure problems similar to those mentioned in connection with thenonwoven belting fabrics. Thus, in transverse l'iexure these belts tendto articulate like the links in a chain, rather than bend like a beam,and this promotes premature cracking in and failure of the elsstomericcovering material of the belt.

The term "elastomer," as used herein, has reference to natural andsynthetic rubber and rubberlike materials and blends thereof.

SUMMARY'OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes theabove-mentioned disadvantages of prior art elastomer covered, metalliccable \varp, conveyor belts by incorporating therein a woven, metaliiccable warp belting fabric in which the warps are maintained 2-2 ofFlG.I; g

coplanar, parallel and linear to insure improved tracking of v theconveyor belt and in which provision is made In the fabric to insurethat the belt will tend to bend as a unit in transverse flexure, ratherthan tend to articulate or pivot between individual warps.

Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide an improvedelastomer covered conveyor belt. It is a further object of thisinvention to provide an improved belting fabric for use inelastomer-covered conveyor belts.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved beltingfabric employing metallic csble warps and nonmetallic watts and hinders.

A further object ul'this invention is to provide an improved beltingfuhric having metallic cable warps and in which nonmetallic wefts andbinders are employed in such a way as to maintain the warps linear,parallel, and coplanar.v

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved beltingfabric employing metallic warps and nonmetallic wefts' and binders inwhich the fabric tends to bend throughout its width in transverseflexure, rather than tending to articulate or pivot between individualwarps thereof.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds.

Briefly stated, and in accordance with one embodiment of this invention,there is provided an elastomer-covered conveyor belt including a beltingfabric having warps of metallic cables. In order to secure improvedtracking of the conveyor belt, the warps are compacted and maintainedcoplanar, parallel and linear by selectively inwardly crimped wefts,which wefts are positioned in layers above and beiowthe warps, and bythe crossover or intersection points of a plurality of binders, whichplurality of binders are positioned between'the warps in each pair ofadjacent warps. The wefts are crimped inwardly at selected pointstherein by the binders,

and such weft crimps, together with the various binder crossover orintersection points between the warps in each pair of adjacent warps,bear against such adjacent warps at spaced points therealong in order tomaintain the warps in proper position, alignment and linearity.Transverse stiffness of the fabric is achieved by having adjacentcrimped points in each individual weft spaced apartso that the weftsspan a cluster of warps between each pair of adjacent crimps, and byhaving the clusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps in each oneof a plurality of wells in each weft layer differ in part from theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps in each one of anotherplurality of warps in the same weft layer. The beltingfabric may becompacted and stabilized after weaving and before being coated with anelastomer by treating the same with a resorcinol formaldehyde latexsolution and then heating 7 the fabric to shrink the weft and binderstrands therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a sectional elevationalview, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing a portion of theelastomeric material in which the belting fabric is embedded;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view, taken along the line 4-4 of Flg. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another form of belting fabric made inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.5; and, 1

FIG. I is a sectional elevational view, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.6.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there has been ilius trated oneform of belting fabric, shown generally at It), made in accordance withthis invention. The. belting fabric I0 includes a layer of strengthwarps, shown generally at 12 (FIGS. 2-4), which layer of warps comprisesa plurality of substantially uncrimped parallel, coplanar, metalliccable warps -12 (FIG. 4). The warps I2a-I2g may comprise, forexcrimping. Similarly,

As shown most clearly in FIG. 1, the wires 14 of the individual warps,such as warp 12c, are twisted in an opposite dircctionfrom the wires 14of the cables either side thereof, such as the wires 14 of cables 12band 12d. This aids in cancelling out any accumulative distortion effectthat might otherwise be imparted to the belting fabric due to the twistof the wires 14 in the various cable warps l2a-i2g.

The belting fabric 10 is provided with a first group, shown generally atA (FIG. 2), of parallel, substantially coplanar, wefts 200-290positioned above and transverse to the layer of warps 12, and a secondgroup, shown generally at B, of parallel, substantially coplanar wettsb29b positioned below and transverse to the layer of warps 12. Thevarious individual wefts in lower group B are in vertical alignmentwith, and thus in opposition in the fabric to, the corresponding weftsin upper group A. The wefts in groups A and B may, for example, comprisea l,260-denier/eight-ply type 6 nylon in accordance with one embodimentof this invention.

Each of the various warps l2a-l2g (FIGS. 1 and 3) is spaced from thewarps'ncxt adjacent thereto by respective pluralities of binders, showngenerally at 30, 31 32, 33, 34 and 35. Each of the various pluralitiesof binders 30-35 comprises two binders, 30a and30b, 31a and 31b, 32a and32b, 33a and- 33b, 34a and 34b, and 35a and 35b, respectively, whichinterlace with different wefts from one another and have paths whichcross one another in the manner shown in FiG. 2. The binders 31a, 31b,32a, 32b, 33a 33b, 34a, 34b, and 35a and 35b may, for example, be formedfrom a l,260-dcnierlnineply type 6 nylon in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention.

The pluralities of binders 30, 32 and 34 are positioned between each ofa first series of adjacent pairs of warps, com prising pair 12a, 12b;pair 12c, 12d; and pair 12c, 12]. The binders in such pluraiities 30, 32and 34 interlace selectively with the same, nonopposing, weftsalternately above and below the layer of warps 12. Thus, the pluralitiesof binders 30, 32 and 34 each interlace with the wefls 20a 23a, 24a,27a-and 280 above the warp layer 12, and with the wefts 21b, 22b, 25b,26b and 29b below the warp layer 12. Similarly, the pluralities ofbinders 3|, 33 (FIG. I) and 35 (FIG. 3) are positioned between each of asecond series of adjacent pairs of warps, comprising pair 121;, 12c;pair 12d, 12:; and pair 121', 12g. The binders in such pluralities ofbinders 3], 33 and 35 interlaee selectively with the same, nonopposing,wefts alternately above and below the layer of warps 12, whichinterlaced weits differ from those wefts interlaced by the pluralitiesof binders spaced apart so that the weft 20b spans a cluster of warps,

comprising warps 12c and 12d, between such points of inward I theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each 30, 32 and 34.Thus, as may be seen most clearly in FIG. I, the

plurslities of binders 3i and 33 each interlace with the wells 21a, 22a,25a, 26a and 29a in the upper group A of wells, and with the wefts 20b,23b, 24b, 27b and 28b in the lower group B of wells.

Each of the binders between the warps in a pair of adjacent warps isinterlaced with wefts which differ from those wells interlsced by theother of the binders between the warps in the same pair of adjacentwarps. Thus, referring to FIG. 2, binder 31a intcrisces with wefts 21a,23b, 25a, 27b and 29a, and binder 31b interlaces with welt: 20b, 22a,24b, 26a and 28b. The welts in upper and lower welt groups A and B arecrimpcd inwardly at the points of interlacing thereof with the bindersin the pluralities of binders 3035 so as to dispose the points ofinterlacing within the confines of the space defined between the upperand lower surface tangent lines C and D, respectively, of thearrangement of warps 12.

Referring in particular to Fig. 3, the crimps in each of the wetts arespaced from one another so that, between each pair of adjacent crimps ineach individual weft, the weft spans a cluster of warps. Thus, weft 20ain the upper group A of welts is crimpcd inwardly by binders 30b and32b, and the points of inward crimping of weft 20a by binders 30b and32!: are spaced apart so that the weft 20a spans s cluster of warps,comprising warps 12b and He, between such points of inward in the lowergroup B of wells, the weft 20b is crimpcd inwardly by binders Ma and33a, and the points of inward crimping of wcft 20b by binders 31a and330 are one of another plurality of wefts in the same group Thus, rwefts 20a, 23a 24a, 27a and 28a in the upper wefi group A define a firstcluster of warps, between the crimps caused by v the binders in thepluralities of binders 30 and 32, which first I cluster of warpscomprises warps l2band 12c. The wefts 21a,

22a, 25a, 26a and 29a, on the other hand, define a second 5 cluster ofwarps, between the crimps caused by the binders in the pluralities ofbinders 3i and 33, which second cluster of J warps differs in part fromthe first cluster in that it differs in 5 part from the first cluster inthat it comprises warps He and 12d, rather than warps l2band 12c.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the binders in 2 eachplurality of binders cross one another between respective pairs ofadjacent warps at crossover or intersection points located alternatelyabove and below the median plane of the warps. Thus, the binders 30a and30b in the plurality of bin- 2 ders 30 cross one another at theintersections 40a-40d between the pair of adjacent warps 12a, 12!); thebinders 310 l and.3lb in the plurality of binders 31 cross one anotherat the intersections 4ial4"d between the pair of adjacent warps 12b,12c; the binders 32a and 32b in the plurality of binders 32 cross oneanother at the intersections 42a-42d between the pair of adjacent warps12c, 12d; the binders 33a and 33b in the 2 I plurality of binders 33cross one another at the intersections 43a-43 between the pair ofadjacent warps 12d, 12:; and, the binders 34a and 34b in the pluralityof binders 34 cross one another at the intersections 44a-44d between thepair of adjacent warps 12c, 12].

l2a-l2bq from one another is preferably .made sufficiently smallrelative to the tension in and the diameter of the binders the fabric 10and retaining the warps [Zn-42g firmly in posi tion relative to oneanother in the fabric.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there has been illustrated an embodiment ofthis invention in which threebinders are 1 woven into the fabric [0between the warps in each pair of ad- Referring to FIG. 4, the spacingof the various warps jacent warps, rather than the two binders betweenwarps of I the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Similar; referencenumerals are employed in the three binders between warpsembodiment ofFIGS. 5-7 to identify parts in this embodiment which correspond to partsin the two binders;

between warps embodiment of H08. 1-4.

The three binders between warps embodiment includes a belting fabric 10having a layer of strength warps, shown generally at 12 (FIGS. 6 and 7),which layer of warps comprises a plurality of substantially uncrimped,parallel, coplanar, metallic cable warps -12 (FIG. 7). The beltingfabric 10 is provided with a first group, shown generally at A, ofparallel, substantially coplanar wetts 20a-29a positioned i above andtransverse to the layer of warps 12, and a second group, shown generallyat B, of parallel, substantially coplanar wefts 20b-29b positioned belowand transverse to the layer of warps 12, the wefts in lower group Bbeing inopposition in the fabric c' to the wefts in upper group A.

Each of the various warps 120-123 is spaced from the warps next adjacentthereto by respective pluralities of binders, shown generally at 30, 3!,32, 33, 34 and 35. in this three bin-i den between warps embodiment,however, each of the vari-';

DUI pluralitlcs of binders 3035 comprises three binders,

300-30. 310-311. 310-324, 330-330. 3441-340 and Mil-35- respeciively,which binders intcrlucc with different wcftx from one another and havepaths which cross one another in the manner shown in F 10. 6.

' above and below the layer of warps 12. Thus, the pluralities of Thepluralities of binders 30, 32 and 34 are positioned between each of afirst series of adjacent pairs of warps, com prising pair 12a, 12b; pair12c, 12d; and pair 12e, 12]. The binders in such pluralities of binders30, 32 and 34 interiace selectively with the same, nonopposing weftsalternately binders 30, 32 and 34 each interiace with the wefts a, 22a,24a, 26a and 28a above the warp layer 12, and with-the wefts 21b, 23b,b, 27b and 2% below the warp layer 12. Similarly, the pluralities ofbinders 31, 33 and 35 are positioned between each of a second series ofadjacent pairs of warps, comprising pair 12b, llcpair 12d, 12c,- andpair 12f, 12g. The binders in such pluralities of binders 3f, 33 and 35intcrlace selectively with the same, nonopposing, wefts alternatelyabove and below the layer of warps 12, which interlaced wefts differfrom those wefts interlaced by the pluralities of binders 30, 32 and 34.Thus, as may be seen most clearly in FIG. 5, the pluralities bindersbetween warps embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 is preferably made sufficientlysmall relative to the tension in andthe diameter of the binders 300-350,b-35b and 30c-35c that the binder intersections 42a-42r', and thecorresponding binder intersections in the plurality of binders 30, 31,33, 34 and 35, are maintained in firm abutment with respective warps124-123. This causes the binder intersections to aid the weft and thenheat treated to remove the volatile components of of binders 3f, 33 andeach interlace with the weft: 21a,

and 28 a, and binder 32c interlace: with weft: 21b, 24a and 27b. Theweft: in upper and lower weft groups A and B are crimped inwardly at thepoint: of interlacing thereof with the binders in the pluralitie: ofbinders 30 through 35 so as to dispose the point: of interlacing withinthe confines of the space defined between the upper and lower surfacetangent I planes C'and D, respectively, of the arrangement of warps 12.

Referring in particular to H0. 7, the crimp: in each of the weft: in thethree binders between warp: embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 are spaced from oneanother so that, between each pair of adjacent crimp: in each individualweft, the weft spans a cluster of warps. Thus, weft 22a in the uppergroup A of weft: is crimped inwardly by binders 30c and 32b, and thepoint: of inward crimping of weft 220 by binders 30c and 326 are spacedapart so that the weft 22a spans a cluster of warps, comprising warps12b and He, between such points of inward crimping. Similarly, in thelower group B of wcfts, the weft 22b is crimped inwardly by binders 31aand 33c, and the point: of inward crimping of weft 22b by binder: 31aand 33c are spaced apart so that the weft 22b span: a cluster of warps,comprising warps 12c and 124, between :uch point: of inward crimping.

As shown most clearly in FlGS. and 7, the clusters of warp: definedbetween adjacent crimp: by each one of a plu rality of weft: in eachgroup differ at least in part from the clusters of warps defined betweenadjacent crimp: by each one of another plurality of weft: in the samegroup. Thus, weft: 20a, 22a, 24a, 26a and 28a 0! in the upper wefl groupA define a first cluster of warp: between the crimp: caused by thebinder: o/plumlltle: of binder: 30 and 32, which first cluster of warp:comprise: warps IN: and He. The weft: 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a and 29a, on theother hand, define a second cluster of warp: between the crimp: causedby the binders in the pluralisuch solution and shrink the nonmetallic'weft: and binders in the fabric. This causes'the fabric 10 to becomecompacted as indicated earlier.: in addition, the resorcinolformaldehyde latex treatment preconditions the fabric to provideimproved bonding between the fabric and the elastomeric material 50(FIG. 3) in which it is embedded. The elastomeric material 50 is appliedto the fabric 10 in a conventional manner after the latter has been heattreated. Following application of the elastomeric material 50 to thebelting fabric 10, the resulting conveyor belt is passed through acuring press or other vulcanization means in a known manner to form thecompleted,

elastorner covered, conveyor belt.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that an improvedelastomer covered conveyor belt is provided by this invention. Theconveyor belt employs an improved belting fabric having metallic cablewarps and nonmetailic wefts and binders, which nonmetallic weft: andbinders are so arranged a: to maintain the warps linear, parallel andcoplanar in the fabric. Moreover, the arrangement is such that'thcresulting belting fabric and conveyor belt tend: to bend throughout itswidth when placed in transverse fiexure, rather than tending toarticulate or pivot between the individual warps thereof.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the tiesof binders 3iand 33, which second cluster of warps differ I 12d rather than warps 12band He.

The binder: in each plurality of binders of the FIGS. 5-7 embodimentcross one another between respective pairs of adjacent warp: atcrossover or intersection points located alternately above and below themedian plane of the warps. Thus, referring to FIG. 6, the binder: 32a,32b and 32c in the plurality of binders 32 cross one another at theintersections la-42 between the pair of adjacent warps l2c-l2d. Similarconsiderations apply to the various binder: in the pluralities ofbinders 30, 31, 33, 34 and 35.

A: in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the spacing of thevarious warp: l2a-l2g from one another in the three art that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects. For example, glass fiber or other highmodulus nonmetallic ,material: could be employed for the warps of thebelting uncrimped, parallel, coplanar warps, a first group of parallel,

substantially coplanar weft: positioned above said warps and transversethereto, a second group of parallel, substantially coplanar weft:positioned below said warp: and transverse thereto, a first plurality ofbinders positioned between each of a first series of adjacent pairs ofwarps and interlaced with selected weft: above and below the warps inalternating sequences, a second plurality of binders positioned betweeneach of a second series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced aboveand below the warps in alternating sequences with weft: other than saidselected wefts, each of the binders between each pair of adjacent warpsbeing interlaced with weft: other than those interlaced with the othersof the binders between the same pair of adjacent warps, the weft: beingcrimped inwardly at the points of interlacing thereof with the bindersso as to dispose the point: of interlacing within the confines of thespace defined betweenthe upper and lower surface tangent planes of thearrangement of warps, the crimps in each of said wefts being spaced fromone another so that between each pair of adjacent crimps therein'eachweft spans a cluster of warps, the clusters of warps defined betweenadjacent erimps by each one of a plurality of wefts in each groupdiffering at least in part from the clusters of warps defined betweenadjacent crimps by each one of another plurality of wefts in the samegroup.

2. A belting fabric as described in claim 1 wherein the bin ders betweeneach pair of adjacent warps cross one another at intersections locatedalternately above and below the median plane of the warps, the spacingbetween adjacent warps being such, relative to the tension in anddiameter of the binders, that the binder intersections abut saidadjacent warps, the binder intersections and the crimps in said wellstogether serving) to firmly position said warps relative to one anotherin the a rre.

3. A belting fabric, comprising a plurality of substantially Iuncrimped, parallel, coplanar metallic cable warps, a first group ofparallel, substantially coplanar, nonmetallic wells positioned abovesaid warps and transverse thereto, a second group of parallel,substantially coplanar, non metallic wells I positioned below said wellsbelow said warpsand transverse thereto, the wells above said warps andthe wells below said warps being in opposition in the fabric, a firstplurality of non metallic binders positioned between each of a firstseries of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced with selected wellsabove and below the warps in alternating sequences, the wefts interlacedby said first plurality of bindersbeing in nonopposition in the fabric,a second plurality of nonmetallic binders positioned between each of asecond series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced above and belowthe warps in alternating sequence with wells other than said selectedwells, the wells 7 interlaced by said second plurality of binders beingin nonopposition in the fabric, each of the binders between each pair ofadjacent warps being interlaced with wells other than those interlacedwith the others of the binders between the same pair of adjacent warps,the wells being crimpcd inwardly at the points of interlacing thereofwith the binders so as to dispose the points of interlacing within theconfines of the space defined between the upper and lower surfacetangent planes of the arrangement of warps, the crimps in each of saidwells being spaced from one another so that between each pair ofadjacent crimps therein each well spans a cluster of warps, the clustersof warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of a plurality ofwells in each group differing at least in part from the clusters ofwarps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of another pluralityof wells in the same group.

4. A belting fabric as described in claim 3 wherein the binden betweeneach pair of adjacent warps cross one another at intersections locatedalternately above and below the median plane of the warps, the spacingbetween adjacent warps being such, relative to the tension in anddiameter of the binders, that the binder intersections abutsaid'adjacent warps, the binder intersections and the crimps in saidwefts together serving to' firmly position said warps relative to oneanother in the fabric. 7

5. A belting fabric as described in claim 4, said cable warps beingformed from strands of brass plated steel, said wefts and binders beingmade of nylon.

6. A conveyor belt, said conveyor belt comprising a belting fabricincluding a plurality of substantially uncrimped, parallei, coplanar,metallic cable warps, a first group of parallel, substantially coplanar,wells positioned above said warps and transverse thereto, a second groupof parallel substantially coplanar wcllspositioned below said warps andtransverse thereto, a first plurality of binders positioned between eachof a first series of adjacent pairs of warps and interiaced withselected wells above and below the warps in alternating sequences, asecond plurality of binders positioned between each of a second seriesof adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced above and below the warps insltemating sequences with wells other than said selected wells, each ofthe binders between each pair of adjacent warps being interlaced withwells other than those interlaced with the others of the binders betweenthe same pair of adjacent warps, the wells being crimped inwardly at thepoints of interlacing thereof with the binders so as to dispose thepoints of interlacing within the confines of the space defined betweenthe upper and lower surface tangent planes of the arrangement of warps,the crimps in each of said wells being spaced from one another so thatbetween each pair of adjacent crimps therein each well spans a clusterof warps, the clusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by eachone of a plurality of wefts in each group differing at least in partfrom the clusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each oneof another plurality of wells in the same group, said belting fabricbeing coated with an elastomeric material.

7. A conveyor belt as described in claim 6 wherein the binsuch, relativeto the tension in and diameter of the binders, that the binderintersections abut said adjacent warps, the

binder intersections and the crimps in said wells together serving tofirmly position said warps relative to one another in the fabric.

8. A conveyor belt, said conveyor belt comprising a belting fabricincluding a plurality of substantially uncrimped, parallel, coplanar,metallic cable warps, a first group of parallel, substantially coplanar,nonmetallic wells positioned above said warps and transverse thereto, asecond group of parallel, substantially coplanar nonmetallic weftspositioned below said warps and transverse thereto, the wefts above saidwarps and the wells below said warps being in opposition in the fabric,a

first plurality of nonmetallic binders positioned between each 7 of afirst series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced with selectedwells above and below the warps in alternating sequences, the wellsinterlaced by said first plurality of binders being in nonopposition inthe fabric, a second plurality of nonmctallic binders positioned betweeneach of a second scrics of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced aboveand below the warps in alternating sequences with wells other than saidselected wells, the wells interlaced by said second plurality of vbinders being in nonopposition in the fabric, each of the bindersbetween each pair of adjaccnt'warps being interlaced with wells otherthan those interlaced with the others of the binders between the samepair of adjacent warps, the wells being crimpcd inwardly at the pointsof interlacing thereof with the binders so as to dispose the points ofinterlacing within the confines of the space defined between the upper Iand lower surface tangent planes of the arrangement of warps, the crimpsin each of said wells being spaced from one another so that between eachpair of adjacent crimps therein each well spans a cluster of warps, theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of aplurality of 2 wells in each group differing at least in part from theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of anotherplurality of wells in the same group, said belting fabric i being coatedwith an elastomeric material.

9. A conveyor belt as described in claim 8 wherein the binders betweeneach pair of adjacent warps cross one another at Z intersections locatedalternately above and below the median ing to firmly position said warpsrelative to one another in the fabric.

10. A conveyor belt as described in claim 9, said cable warps beingformed from strands of brass plated steel, said wells and binders beingmade of nylon. ii. A conveyor belt comprising the belting fabric ofclaim I 1 coated with an elastomeric material.

12. A conveyor belt as described in claim ii, the warps of said beltingfabric comprising strands of a high modulus, nonmetallic material.

said belting fabric comprising strands of glass fibers.

14. A conveyor belt as described in claim 11, the warps of said beltingfabric comprising metallic cables, the wefts and binders of said beltingfabric being nonmetallic.

15. A belting fabric as described in claim 1, the wefts above said warpsand the w'eftsbelow said warps being in opposition in the fabric, thewefls interlaced by said first plurality of binders being innonopposition in the fabric, and the wells interlaced by said secondplurality of binders being in nonopposition in fabric. 1

16. A conveyor belt comprising the belting fabric of claim coated withan elastomeric material.

17. A conveyor belt as described in claim 16, the warps of said beltingfabric comprising strands of a high modulus, nonmetallic material.

18. A conveyor belt as described in claim 16, the warps of said beltingfabriccomprising strands of glass fibers.

19. A belting fabric as described in claim wherein the binders betweeneach. pair of adjacent warps cross one another at intersections locatedalternately above and below the median plane of the warps, the spacingbetween adjacent warps being such, relative to the tension in anddiameter of the binders,that the binder intersections abut said'adjacentwarps, the binder intersections and the crimps in said wefts togetherserving to firmly position said warps relative to one another in thefabric.

20. A conveyor belt comprising the belting fabric of claim 19 coatedwith an elastomeric material, the warps of said belting fabriccomprising strands of glass fibers, the wefls and binders of saidbelting fabric being made of nylon.

mgr UNITED STATES PAI'ENT omen CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,612,256 mg October 12, 1971 lnvgutgg-( G. R. LIMBACH 81'; al.

I: is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat aid Letters Patent are hereby eon-acted as shown below:

r- In the upper right hand corner of each of sheets 1 and 2 q of thedrawings the number "3,622,256" should read --3,6l2,256-- In column 2,line 67, the numeral "12" should read --l2g--; line 70, the numeral"11017" should read 10o17-- Column 3, line 3, the letter "0" should bereplaced by the word --on--. Column l, line 16, delete the phrase"differs in art from the first cluster in that it"; line 27, the numerallal U'd" should read lla- +ld--; line 32, the numeral 13" should read43d--; line 37, the numeral "l2bq" should read --l'2g--; line 40, thenumeral tlbq" should read +1d--; line 7 2, the designation "30b shouldread --30c--. Column 5, line 12, insert a semicolon after the numeral"120"; line 55, delete the numeral "01''; lines 55-58, the italicizedstatement "in the upper weft group A. .which first cluster of warps comrises warps should not be italicized; line 70, the numeral 42" shouldread --42i--. Column 6, line 12, the word "loom" should read --looms--.Column 7, line 18, delete the phrase "wefts below said"; line 28, theword "sequence" should read --se uences--; line 62, after "parallel" andbefore "substantially, insert --a comma Column 8, line 61, the word"about" should read --abut-- Column 9, line 9, after "in" and before"fabric", insert --the-- Signed and sealed this Zhth day of October1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

"EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A belting fabric, comprising a plurality of substantially uncrimped,parallel, coplanar warps, a first group of parallel, substantiallycoplanar wefts positioned above said warps and transverse thereto, asecond group of parallel, substantially coplanar wefts positioned belowsaid warps and transverse thereto, a first plurality of binderspositioned between each of a first series of adjacent pairs of warps andinterlaced with selected wefts above and below the warps in alternatingsequences, a second plurality of binders positioned between each of asecond series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced above and belowthe warps in alternating sequences with wefts other than said selectedwefts, each of the binders between each pair of adjacent warps beinginterlaced with wefts other than those interlaced with the others of thebinders between the same pair of adjacent warps, the wefts being crimpedinwardly at the points of interlacing thereof with the binders so as todispose the points of interlacing within the confines of the spacedefined between the upper and lower surface tangent planes of thearrangement of warps, the crimps in each of said wefts being spaced fromone another so that between each pair of adjacent crimps therein eachweft spans a cluster of warps, the clusters of warps defined betweenadjacent crimps by each one of a plurality of wefts in each groupdiffering at least in part from the clusters of warps defined betweenadjacent crimps by each one of another plurality of wefts in the samegroup.
 2. A belting fabric as described in claim 1 wherein the bindersbetween each pair of adjacent warps cross one another at intersectionslocated alternately above and below the median plane of the warps, thespacing between adjacent warps being such, relative to the tension inand diameter of the binders, that the binder intersections abut saidadjacent warps, the binder intersections and the crimps in said weftstogether serving to firmly position said warps relative to one anotherin the fabric.
 3. A belting fabric, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially uncrimped, parallel, coplanar metallic cable warps, afirst group of parallel, substantially coplanar, nonmetallic weftspositioned above said warps and transverse thereto, a second group ofparallel, substantially coplanar, non metallic wefts positioned belowsaid wefts below said warps and transverse thereto, the wefts above saidwarps and the wefts below said warps being in opposition in the fabric,a first plurality of non metallic binders positioned between each of afirst series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced with selectedwefts above and below the warps in alternating sequences, the weftsinterlaced by said first plurality of binders being in nonopposition inthe fabric, a second plurality of nonmetallic binders positioned betweeneach of a second series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced aboveand below the warps in alternating sequence with wefts other than saidselected wefts, the wefts interlaced by said second plurality of bindersbeing in nonopposition in the fabric, each of the binders between eachpair of adjacent warps being interlaced with wefts other than thoseinterlaced with the others of the binders between the same pair ofadjacent warps, the wefts being crimped inwardly at the points ofinterlacing thereof with the binders so as to dispose the points ofinterlacing within the confines of the space defined between the upperand lower surface tangent planes of the arrangement of warps, the crimpsin each of said wefts being spaced from one another so that between eachpair of adjacent crimps therein each weft spans a cluster of warps, theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of aplurality of wefts in each group differing at least in part from theclusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of anotherplurality of wefts in the same group.
 4. A belting fabric as describedin claim 3 wherein the binders between each pair of adjacent warps crossone another at intersections located alternately above and below themedian plane of the warps, the spacing between adjacent warps beingsuch, relative to the tension in and diaMeter of the binders, that thebinder intersections abut said adjacent warps, the binder intersectionsand the crimps in said wefts together serving to firmly position saidwarps relative to one another in the fabric.
 5. A belting fabric asdescribed in claim 4, said cable warps being formed from strands ofbrass plated steel, said wefts and binders being made of nylon.
 6. Aconveyor belt, said conveyor belt comprising a belting fabric includinga plurality of substantially uncrimped, parallel, coplanar, metalliccable warps, a first group of parallel, substantially coplanar, weftspositioned above said warps and transverse thereto, a second group ofparallel substantially coplanar wefts positioned below said warps andtransverse thereto, a first plurality of binders positioned between eachof a first series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced withselected wefts above and below the warps in alternating sequences, asecond plurality of binders positioned between each of a second seriesof adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced above and below the warps inalternating sequences with wefts other than said selected wefts, each ofthe binders between each pair of adjacent warps being interlaced withwefts other than those interlaced with the others of the binders betweenthe same pair of adjacent warps, the wefts being crimped inwardly at thepoints of interlacing thereof with the binders so as to dispose thepoints of interlacing within the confines of the space defined betweenthe upper and lower surface tangent planes of the arrangement of warps,the crimps in each of said wefts being spaced from one another so thatbetween each pair of adjacent crimps therein each weft spans a clusterof warps, the clusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by eachone of a plurality of wefts in each group differing at least in partfrom the clusters of warps defined between adjacent crimps by each oneof another plurality of wefts in the same group, said belting fabricbeing coated with an elastomeric material.
 7. A conveyor belt asdescribed in claim 6 wherein the binders between each pair of adjacentwarps cross one another at intersections located alternately above andbelow the median plane of the warps, the spacing between adjacent warpsbeing such, relative to the tension in and diameter of the binders, thatthe binder intersections abut said adjacent warps, the binderintersections and the crimps in said wefts together serving to firmlyposition said warps relative to one another in the fabric.
 8. A conveyorbelt, said conveyor belt comprising a belting fabric including aplurality of substantially uncrimped, parallel, coplanar, metallic cablewarps, a first group of parallel, substantially coplanar, nonmetallicwefts positioned above said warps and transverse thereto, a second groupof parallel, substantially coplanar nonmetallic wefts positioned belowsaid warps and transverse thereto, the wefts above said warps and thewefts below said warps being in opposition in the fabric, a firstplurality of nonmetallic binders positioned between each of a firstseries of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced with selected weftsabove and below the warps in alternating sequences, the wefts interlacedby said first plurality of binders being in nonopposition in the fabric,a second plurality of nonmetallic binders positioned between each of asecond series of adjacent pairs of warps and interlaced above and belowthe warps in alternating sequences with wefts other than said selectedwefts, the wefts interlaced by said second plurality of binders being innonopposition in the fabric, each of the binders between each pair ofadjacent warps being interlaced with wefts other than those interlacedwith the others of the binders between the same pair of adjacent warps,the wefts being crimped inwardly at the points of interlacing thereofwith the binders so as to dispose the points of interlacing within theconfines of the space defined between the upper and lower surfacetangent Planes of the arrangement of warps, the crimps in each of saidwefts being spaced from one another so that between each pair ofadjacent crimps therein each weft spans a cluster of warps, the clustersof warps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of a plurality ofwefts in each group differing at least in part from the clusters ofwarps defined between adjacent crimps by each one of another pluralityof wefts in the same group, said belting fabric being coated with anelastomeric material.
 9. A conveyor belt as described in claim 8 whereinthe binders between each pair of adjacent warps cross one another atintersections located alternately above and below the median plane ofthe warps, the spacing between adjacent warps being such, relative tothe tension in and diameter of the binders, that the binderintersections about said adjacent warps, the binder intersections andthe crimps in said wefts together serving to firmly position said warpsrelative to one another in the fabric.
 10. A conveyor belt as describedin claim 9, said cable warps being formed from strands of brass platedsteel, said wefts and binders being made of nylon.
 11. A conveyor beltcomprising the belting fabric of claim 1 coated with an elastomericmaterial.
 12. A conveyor belt as described in claim 11, the warps ofsaid belting fabric comprising strands of a high modulus, nonmetallicmaterial.
 13. A conveyor belt as described in claim 11, the warps ofsaid belting fabric comprising strands of glass fibers.
 14. A conveyorbelt as described in claim 11, the warps of said belting fabriccomprising metallic cables, the wefts and binders of said belting fabricbeing nonmetallic.
 15. A belting fabric as described in claim 1, thewefts above said warps and the wefts below said warps being inopposition in the fabric, the wefts interlaced by said first pluralityof binders being in nonopposition in the fabric, and the weftsinterlaced by said second plurality of binders being in nonopposition infabric.
 16. A conveyor belt comprising the belting fabric of claim 15coated with an elastomeric material.
 17. A conveyor belt as described inclaim 16, the warps of said belting fabric comprising strands of a highmodulus, nonmetallic material.
 18. A conveyor belt as described in claim16, the warps of said belting fabric comprising strands of glass fibers.19. A belting fabric as described in claim 15 wherein the bindersbetween each pair of adjacent warps cross one another at intersectionslocated alternately above and below the median plane of the warps, thespacing between adjacent warps being such, relative to the tension inand diameter of the binders, that the binder intersections abut saidadjacent warps, the binder intersections and the crimps in said weftstogether serving to firmly position said warps relative to one anotherin the fabric.
 20. A conveyor belt comprising the belting fabric ofclaim 19 coated with an elastomeric material, the warps of said beltingfabric comprising strands of glass fibers, the wefts and binders of saidbelting fabric being made of nylon.